TP vs GOP?

Not in my mind. Au contraire, as with the progressives of a hundred years ago, success will come by co-opting, not replacing, the structures of at least one of our major political parties. Love it or hate it, the deck is stacked in this country in favor of 2 parties. And unless you are just absolutely high on crack, can there be any doubt of the target party for Tea Partyers? Still, the question arises- What does one do when there's a less than ideal Republican, somewhat doubtfully committed to Tea Party principles, who is nonetheless clearly less bad than her opponent? Well, life is full of choices. My choice in this case-punch the ticket for the possibility that Meg can be the California version of this guy. Doesn't change the fact thought that my favorite girl Republican Silicon Valley CEO this year is named Carly.

Now, this begs the question of how to approach a decision in a primary. But... seeing how we're now in August and not June, we'll have to leave that one to the residents of Delaware. I think I'm in love.

Why this Blog?

1) I, Smokedaddy, personally need to do this. For my own sanity, my family's sanity, a need to fulfill that all important sense of purpose we all have in life (ego gratification in other words), and maybe, just maybe, the possibility of generating a buck or two in the process.

2) The crying need, consistent with the stated goals of the national Tea Party movement, to identify, promote, and weed out our current and future crop of aspiring Tea Party politicos in light of the Tea Party's emergence as a potent political force.

3) In my view, the Tea Party Movement is a unique opportunity for like minded citizens to fundamentally change the dynamics of the body politic in which we live. But for that to happen, there need to be reliable sources of coordination and information on

• Legislation and ballot initiatives that can affect Tea Party political prospects in our great state. Like this.
• Who exactly is who when it comes to political candidates qualifications and actual beliefs with respect to Tea Party ideals.
• Realistic prospects of success given a candidates background and district.
• Where to go to contribute to and support the causes and candidates that may somehow overthrow and/or minimize the power of our existing ruling class in this state

Now, there are a number of things a blog like can and cannot aspire to do. Among those we will NOT attempt to be doing-

• Identify promising candidates across the nation. California, at least for now, will more than suffice. We live in a target rich environment!
• Apart from my occasional (OK more than occasional) snarky asides on issues of substance, God forbid we become a localized Tea Party version of dailyKos, but I'm hoping to limit tangenital debates over the goal here will be to focus on current and aspiring political candidates that meet Tea Party litmus tests.
• Pretend to be the adjunct to a political party. Speaking as a lifelong Republican voter and former president of the Claremont College Republicans, I still refuse to confuse the means with the ends.